We woke up to a down pour of rain. I walked David to the bus under an umbrella, it was coming down so hard.
After a while, the skies cleared and then it became windy. Ethan was able to fly his kite and he got it to stay up, way up, in the sky. I was so happy for him!
As Ethan was busy with his kite, I decided to do a little photo shoot with Seth.
He sat just long enough for me to take this one picture. You can already tell he’s thinking about running away.
I told him to sit still but he did not obey.
So then he fell.
Thank goodness he was okay! He just couldn’t see.
We decided to go to a safer place.
Ethan’s kite fell down out of the sky, and into the pond. After a while, he came over to ask me if I wanted to go see the dead snapper turtle that he found yesterday.
How in the world could I resist such an invitation?
Off I went for a walk with just Ethan and Seth. Caleb was napping and the others were playing. It was nice to spend time with just these two. Ethan is a wonderfully loving big brother and adores Seth.
I’m so sorry I did not take a picture of the turtle. You’ll just have to take my word for it….it was an utterly mangled turtle with a cracked top shell, a solid bottom shell, no body or head because something ate it (I hear turtle is a delicacy) and just two front legs, and a tail. Ethan has a section of the top shell in his room now, as a keepsake.
We also came across a snake skin.
Ethan helped me carry Seth back home. It was just a short walk, short and sweet. I don’t know if there is a better smell than the woods and fields, after a rainy and windy morning. It was fresh and clean.
This was just a small part of my full and busy day and I want to remember it. I’m always thankful to spend times like this with the ones I love the most.
Good to be Home 
Oh, handsome big son and sweet little son!! Great pictures — I haven’t been able to take many pictures lately as I need to be with my parents so much but my brother is coming next week to give me a break and the first place I’m heading is out with my camera — I hope there is some pretty color left!!
The first series of pictures. The love the expression on Seth’s face on the black and white.
Oh, I just love that last pic! And the first photo of Seth in the chair ~ so cute ~
By the time little Seth is the age of Ethan, the older ones will have flown the nest. I remember Rachel saying that she missed the twinnie boys’ fun years, She married at 19….when they were 10. Enjoy these times. Be intent on noticing the little things. Sometimes it is difficult whilst raising several. This blog will help you to remember. I like the photo of your older son standing in the leafy pathway. The colors are perfect!
I LOVE the black and white one!
Your Ethan man-child is in training to be a really wonderful daddy. Seth is blessed to have such a great big brother. And Shanda, I am so happy for your new baby news. A child is a reason to celebrate, and it blesses me to see you embracing the news of another miracle. You and your husband are the kind of people who should be having large families. I’ve noticed that the people who serve the devil often have a whole raft of children that they can neither care nor provide for, and they don’t seem to be stymied by the noises against large families. If anyone should be having big families, it is God’s people. And I salute your faith, your optimism and your values that make this seventh child a most welcome addition to your family. Blessings to you and your husband, and may God bless this season of your life with transcending joy.
“I’m always thankful to spend times like this with the ones I love the most.”Me too Shanda…me too!!! If I had some way….some day I’d come visit you!
Such an adorable smile. The brotherly love warms my heart ♥.
I love the picture of the boys crossing the water. Beautiful memory! Also, congratulations on your pregnancy! I am so happy for your family. God bless you! -Maria
Certainly looks like a lovely day to me, my friend. Much love to you tonight. ❤
i love that last photo – 🙂 aren’t the special little moments just so special? each child so unique and wonderful. and oh I love sons. cherish the days – they grow to be men and go and love another woman deeper and it’s good that they do – but I have a feeling that is why I should love each moment with them all the days I have them here.lys
Precious moments~ Brothers in arms, adorable~ Thank you for sharing~ Cinnamon
Such pretty foliage. I love the first picture of Seth–his facial expression says it all.
Oh what sweet moments. The boys look so wonderful together…big and small. I love to see the fall leaves and imagine the wind and smells. So lovely.
I love the way you accept things that would make me cringe. I don’t think I would enjoy seeing a dead turtle very much, but with all your lovely boys, I am sure you are used to being invited to view those types of things! Loved the photos of the boys together.
I LOVE the last two pictures Aww Ethan and Seth are too cute! I want to see the COOP! How are you feeling? Lets get together when I get home from Mom and Dads. Love ya ~Sissy
It looks like you live in a BEAUTIFUL area!! that creek is awesome… love the pic of seth on ethans shoulders.
Lovely pictures, Shanda!! 🙂 I love the big gummy smile of Seth on Ethan’s shoulders. :)The other day Jake was sitting here with me looking at your blog…and he said, “Mom. This is the funniest web thing I ever saw!! Her mouse is a pig!” ??? It was then that he pointed out that on your blog your mouse cursor is a “piggie” LOL. So, when I was just reading your blog…Jake came in and asked’- “Is that baby the baby of the mousepig lady?” *LOL* It really made me laugh. I would have NEVER called you the “Mousepig” lady. LOL. Good thing he can’t read….then you may be “dead rotten turtle lady” 🙂
I love those pictures. Seth has such an expressive face. Adorable!
Loved the first photo especially of the brothers, such joy on his little face!
The last picture is amazing What was your camera setting that you could get such clarity and contrast in a shadowed picture? I am so jealous.
I love the picture of the boys crossing the stream!
Hey, I just found this post in my old email subs from when I was out of town. LOVE it! Oh Shanda, I love the vein of humor running throughout this post, that is a characteristic you have as a mother that I want to develop more. Seth just takes my breath away every time, he is so cute. I think if I had him to look at every day, I would be able to overcome my craving for chocolate!
okay, I don’t know if that last sentence made any sense. I meant that the sight of Seth would be so satisfying that I wouldn’t even crave chocolate! (apparently, though, you still do, by the looks of your recent brownie post. LOL )I thought about and prayed for you (and resisted calling) this afternoon. I am thinking of all your responsibilities for which you must be fit, including the new little one being nourished inside. Underneath are the Everlasting Arms! You are loved. ❤
@angiearmour – I love you for noticing abnd mentioning “the vein of humor” because sometimes I wonder, “Does anyone get me?” LOL “or, am I coming off as a weird-o?” Thanks for praying for me, Angie, I know it was for a reason because I was pretty discouraged yesterday, I kid you not, wondering, “HOW ON EARTH will I survive”…..the sick feelings, lack of energy, house falling down around my ears no matter how much cleaning we’re all doing, and wanting so much, most of all, to be a good mother, not a tired, yelling one!!! My mom calmed me down during our phone conversation last night, and I know your prayers helped me for today. ((HUGS))
@purpleamethyst76 – Reading this brought tears to my eyes because indeed you are SUCH a good mother (and wife, and homemaker, and school teacher, and cook… ), and such an example to me, and those feelings you described are exactly what I have so much of the time, even with only 1 child. I am thinking that the endurance referred to in Scripture, as one who runs a race, is so poignant when it comes to motherhood. You are running a good race and will “receive the prize,” I have no doubt. Yes, that “vein of humor” (“tongue-in-cheek?”)is definitely apparent in many of your posts and always one of my favorite features of your blog. Now that’s good medicine, keep it up!